Feeding mechanism for lace packaging machine



Aug. 24, 1965 R. B. PARKER 3,202,371

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LACE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Aug. 24, 1965 R. B. PARKER 3,202,371

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LACE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F 3 INVENTOR.

ROBERT B. PARKER ATTORNEYS 3,202,371 FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LACE PACKAGING MACHINE Robert B. Parker, North Scituate, R.I., assignor to Bored, Inc., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed May 1, 1961, Ser. No. 115,843 3 Claims. (Cl. 24247.01)

This invention relates to a strand feeding device.

The strand feeding device comprises a rotatable drum with a fixed rod generally parallel to the axis of the drum but spaced from the surface of the drum so that a strand may be wound about both the drum and the rod spaced therefrom leading from a source of supply and leading to some point of use. As the strand is used, at its point of use it gradually becomes snugger about the rod and drum, and the drum is rotated at a much faster speed than the strand is used so that when the use of the strand tightens the strand about the drum and rod, the strand will be fed by the faster rotation of the drum so as to become slack about the drum, and slipping of the drum with reference to the strand will then occur.

An object of the invention is to so control the tension of the strand as it is fed to its point of use that there will be no serious drag placed upon the feeding of the strand at its point of use, and it will enter its point of use substantially tensionless.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a machine in which my feeding device is incorporated;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the frame of the machine showing in elevation the feeding device;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the feeding means with the braid in position thereon; and

In proceeding with this invention and with reference particularly to FIG. 1 showing a shoe lace packaging machine, it might be first mentioned that although the machine may handle a number of different laces at one time, the illustration in the drawings is for the handling of two laces so as to form a pair of laces, as shoe laces are usually marketed, to be delivered into the packaging machine as shown in Marsh Patent No. 2,896,386. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, there are two supply sources for extended lengths of braid which sources may be from reels 20, 20'. The braids 30, 30 are led into the machine into the area A where a drum in the device of this invention is arranged to pull the braids from the supply source both at the same rate and to deliver the braid substantially without tension into. a standard tipping mechanism 40 in area B, the details of which are not shown, and then from this tipping mechanism, the braids are brought together into side by side relation in a take-up mechanism at area C, the arrangement being such that regardless of the finished length of lace within'the limits of the machine the braids may be disposed for further operation. From this take-up mechanism in area C, the braids are delivered about a guide pulley 31 in their adjacent relation, still without being severed from the supply source, and are then passed into a transfer mechanism in area D for positioning the leading ends of the braids into the packaging machine shown in the Marsh Patent 2,896,386. This transfer mechanism at area D also includes a cutter to sever the braid and tips after the leading end of the lace is located and grasped in the packaging machine such as shown in the above-mentioned Patent 2,896,386.

Feeding device Braids in continuous lengths on separate supply spools 20 and 20' are each led into the machine at area A to be United States Patent 'ice each passed about a fixed rod 21 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) having a plurality of grooves 22 therein and also about drum 23 which is positioned just below the rod 21 and which will be driven by pulley 24 and belt 25 at a much higher rate of speed than is desired for the travel of the braid into the machine. The drum 23 and pulley 24 are mounted for free rotation on shaft 26 which is supported in bearing 27 on bracket 28 secured to a portion of the frame. Rod 21 is supported by bracket 29 also from bracket 28. This braid 30 will be disposed about the rod 21 and drum 23 to embrace both of them with one turn in each of the successive grooves 22 shown, depending upon the amount of resistance which is offered to the pulling of the braid into the machine. The arrangement is such that the braid 30 first will be disposed rather loosely about the rod 21 and drum 23 but when the braid is called for by the machine as at location 30:: (FIG. 3), it will tighten up the braid about the drum, and then this fast moving drum will quickly feed the braid at the location 30a until there is some slack in the braid or practically no tension at 30a when the drum will again slip on the braid. A second braid 30' (FIG. 1) is similarly fed indicated by the same numerals with a prime added. Two lines of braid are thus delivered into the tipping dies 40, area B, which will apply tips to the braids which tips will be of a length sutficient to provide a tip on the training end of one lace and the leading end of the next lace so that when severed at substantially the mid point of the tipping material lengthwise of the braid, two tips will be provided. The details of this machine do not enter into this invention being shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 275,569.

I claim:

1. A strand handling machine, a take-up mechanism for handling the strand at a controlled linear rate, a feed mechanism comprising a rotatable drum, a. fixed rod adjacent to but spaced from and extending across the surface of said drum in the direction of the rotatable axis thereof about both of which a strand may be led to embrace them and be fed as tensioned to have drivingem gagement with the drum and means for driving the drum at a speed faster than said linear rate of feed to provide a slack length of strand between the drum and takeup mechanism.

2. In a strand handling machine as in claim 1 wherein said rod is provided with means to limit. sliding of a strand axially thereof.

3. In a strand handling machine as in claim 2 wherein said limiting means comprises grooves in said rod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,309 11/06 McCahey 29-335 979,168 12/10 Bennett 29-33.5 2,606,358 8/52 Furness 24247.1 2,639,485 5/53 Ambler 242-4709 X 2,659,469 11/53 Unk l92l50 2,694,860 ll/54 McIntosh 242-4701 X 2,695,089 11/54 Unk 192-150 2,929,493 3/60 Henning 24247.1 2,952,115 9/60 Bromley 57-92 RUSSELL C. MADER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD H. EANES, DONALD W. PARKER, MER- VIN STEIN, Examiners. 

1. A STRAND HANDLING MACHINE, A TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR HANDLING THE STRAND AT A CONTROLLED LINEAR RATE, A FEED MECHANISM COMPRISING A ROTATABLE DRUM, A FIXED ROD ADJACENT TO BUT SPACED FROM AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE SURFACE OF SAID DRUM IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROTATABLE AXIS THEREOF ABOUT BOTH OF WHICH A STRAND MAY BE LED TO EMBRACE THEM AND BE FED AS TENSIONED TO HAVE DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DRUM AND MEANS FOR DRIVING THE DRUM AT A SPEED FASTER THAN SAID LINEAR RATE OF FEED TO PROVIDE A SLACK LENGTH OF STRAND BETWEEN THE DRUM AND TAKEUP MECHANISM. 